TMCF Expands HBCU Faculty Development Initiative with ACUE

Event summary

  • The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is expanding its partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) through the CHANGE Initiative.
  • The CHANGE Initiative, fully funded by TMCF, focuses on faculty and staff professional development across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
  • The 2026 cohort of the initiative includes 10 institutions, five continuing and five new.
  • The initiative now includes unlimited access for faculty and staff, expanded scope to include leadership and support staff, and a research component focused on well-being and institutional improvement.

The big picture

The partnership reflects a growing recognition of the critical role of faculty development in improving outcomes at HBCUs, institutions often facing resource constraints. By focusing on evidence-based teaching practices and staff well-being, TMCF and ACUE are attempting to address systemic challenges within the higher education sector. The expansion to include leadership and support staff signals a broader effort to cultivate institutional capacity beyond the classroom, potentially influencing the long-term viability of these institutions.

What we're watching

Implementation Risk
The success of the expanded initiative hinges on the ability of TMCF and ACUE to effectively integrate the program across ten institutions and ensure widespread faculty and staff participation.
Data Integrity
The inclusion of longitudinal research requires robust data collection and analysis to accurately measure the impact of the program on student outcomes and institutional performance.
Funding Sustainability
While TMCF fully funds the initiative currently, long-term sustainability will depend on securing additional funding sources or demonstrating a clear return on investment to justify continued support.